For more than two decades Profiles in Diversity Journal has showcased and honored individuals who have blazed new trails, led the way, mentored others, advanced diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community, and excelled in their chosen fields. PDJ is proud to recognize Black Leaders with our second Black Leaders Worth Watching Awards.
The 42 profiles that appear in this issue recognize and celebrate the achievements of our second group of Black Leaders Worth Watching. Each award recipient has also provided us with the answers to some questions and an essay that will give you, our readers, the chance to get to know these trailblazing individuals a little better.
Welcome to PDJ’s second annual Black Leaders Worth Watching Awards.
2021 Black Leaders Worth Watching™ Award Winners
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – Terrence “T.J.” Lewis – Program Manager
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – LaKesha Small – Senior Manager Operations
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – Yolanda R. Williams – Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP – Amanda A. Butler-Jones – Counsel
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP – Jaelyn Edwards Judelson – Partner, International Trade
- Attune Insurance – Lael Chappell – Director, Insurance Distribution
- Best Best & Krieger LLP – Christine N. Wood – Director, PRA Services & E-Discovery Counsel
- Community Action Partnership of Orange County – Gregory C. Scott – President & CEO
- Curaleaf – Khadijah Tribble – Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility
- Dechert LLP – Sozi Pedro Tulante – Partner
- Dickinson Wright PLLC – Venroy July – Member
- The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. – Idris N. McKelvey – Vice President, Lead Patent Counsel
- Fannie Mae – Maritza Okata – Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Multifamily
- FordHarrison LLP – Tim Reed – Office Managing Partner
- Freddie Mac – Fritz E.R. Jeffries III – Regional Operations Director, Investment and Capital Markets
- Freddie Mac – Stacey M. Walker – Corporate Director, Housing & Community Outreach
- HARMAN International – Michael Craig – Senior Director, Global Marketing
- Heartbeat – Michelle Edwards – Vice President, Human Resources
- Heartbeat – Cam H. Walker – Vice President, Performance Management and Coaching
- Honeywell – Cheya Dunlap – Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer
- IBM – Nicole A. Spence – Senior Attorney, Intellectual Property Law
- Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP – Marcus A. Barber – Partner
- Kindred Healthcare – James Poullard, Jr. – Senior Vice President of Support Services, Health Equity and Experience
- Latham & Watkins LLP – Jennifer M. Kent – Senior Associate
- Mosaic Group – Natalie Sheils – Vice President, People and Culture
- Moss Adams LLP – Tiffany Coln-Smith – Regional Human Resources Senior Manager
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP – Marquetta J. Bryan – Partner
- New American Funding – Kim Arrington – Branch Manager, Diversity & Community Engagement Director
- New American Funding – John Drumgoole Jr – Vice President, Community Lending
- New American Funding – Nisaa R. El-Hasan – Senior Loan Consultant
- New American Funding – Charles R. Lowery, Jr. – Director, Legislative Policy & External Affairs
- New American Funding – Michael Moseby – Senior Loan Officer / Sales Manager
- New York Life Insurance Company – Whytne Brooks – Vice President, Office of Governmental Affairs
- The Oyate Group’s Bronx Rising Initiative – Jason Autar – Chief Operating Officer
- Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C. – Valerie Jules McCarthy – Counsel
- PGA of America – Charles Dillahunt – Strategic Adjunct for the Chief Executive and Chief People Officers
- Raytheon Technologies – Ruben Harris – Vice President, Global Supply Chain
- Sonepar USA – Joe L. Kidd Jr. – Vice President, Infrastructure, Support & Cyber Security
- Sullivan & Cromwell LLP – Tracy Richelle High – Partner
- Ulmer & Berne LLP – Alvin E. Mathews, Jr. – Counsel
- Valley Bank – Thais R. Sullivan – Senior Vice President/National Director of Community Lending
- WilmerHale – April N. Williams – Partner
